“Mags! What, um…what are you doing here?”
It’s Alex’s anxious tone that draws my attention. She looks ridiculous, laden with my gratuitous gifts. Her phone pings intermittently between clenched balloon ribbons while her pursesags on her forearm. The pastry bag and smoothie cup look like they’re two seconds from careening to the carpeted floor.
Too much. Too much. Too much.
Shame flares hot at the back of my neck.
I want to throw everything in the trash, but pan dulce that good doesn’t deserve to go to waste.
Sighing—and silently cursing my mother for instilling me with etiquette—I reach out, taking everything back. “Let’s get these in your room.”
The older woman’s face brightens with recognition. “I thought you looked familiar.”
Forcing my lips up, I turn to face her. Usually, I love meeting fans. I’m more than happy to sign anything or take selfies. I’d just prefer to do so when I don’t feel sucker-punched in the gut.
Her jubilant grin wrinkles her cheeks. “You’re Alex’s boyfriend.”
Chapter 7
Alex
“Excuse me?” Tenny’s incredulous tone makes my shoulders climb up to my ears.
This is three thousand degrees of bad. I’m not sure what atrocities I committed in a past life—maybe I was an overzealous IRS agent or had a habit of kicking puppies—but surely I don’t deserve this.
I mean…
It’stechnicallymy doing.
Amelia cautioned me against making up a fake relationship to get our grandmother off my back. It’s just that Mags isunrelenting. Unlike my older sister, who had no issue firmly setting the boundary that she’s focusing on her professional goals and not interested in a relationship, I…
Well, I did what I always do when Mags asks me for anything.
I caved.
This time, that looked like making up a fake boyfriend. It started off innocently enough. I told her I was dating someone online, so that way I’d never have to produce an actual human for her to meet. Mags lives in San Diego near Dad, but since she’s newly retired, she has a habit of popping up unannounced. Case in point, why she’s standing in my hotel hallway, speaking to Tenny Jackson.
It’s also my fault that she’s looking at Tenny like he’s familiar.
When I was a little loopy off an emergency dose of painkillers after a long day on my feet, Imight havetexted Mags a grainy picture of Tenny out of uniform. It was the night I found out I’d be working for the Waves, but instead of going out to celebrate, I was at home with my trusty heating pad. I’d been looking him up, concerned about how that first interaction with Tenny would go. That’s why his picture had been on my phone screen.
Next thing I knew, Mags called, and I was sending the photo along. I also decided it would be a great idea to expand the story. You know, really let my creative juices flow. My boyfriend, Max, also worked for the team I’d be reporting on! Wasn’t that great? Now we could see each other all the time, and Mags wouldn’t have to worry about me being lonely.
“Did you bring her all of this because she was having a hard few days?” Mags’s grin could power a small city. “Aren’t you a gem.”
“I, uh…” Tenny rubs his neck, and the balloons bob in all directions. “Yes.”
“That’s so nice of you, but shouldn’t you be at work? The Waves will need their equipment manager before today’s game.”
“Equipment manager?” Tenny’s gaze zeros in on me.
“She’s right. You should be getting to work, babe. I’ll take care of these,” I say, lunging forward to snatch the gifts.
Tenny evades me with one large step backward. “Babe?”
I really wish he’d stop asking questions.
“Yes,” I hiss through a clenched smile, advancing again.
